In a first step towards resolving the fiasco at Ashok Circle on Great Nag Road, the owner of the building that is grazing against the mega rotary, started the process of demolition of excess construction from Wednesday onwards. The G+2 construction shot into limelight after the rotary cut through the first floor balcony, leaving citizens and experts confused. After the unique construction got highlighted in media, the officials scurried for cover. But, by that time, it had become an overnight sensation, courtesy social media. Meanwhile, the building owner — Patres — started the demolition of the extended portion of the building.

 

The engineers from the NHAI who were working on the rotary construction along with team from the contractor, watched the demolition from a distance, keeping a Hawk Eye to ensure that no damage occurs to the rotary. A breaker was utilised as the labourers broke the slab on second floor to start the work on bringing down the portion of building that infringed on the rotary curve. The demolition work on the building is likely to continue for the next few days, it is learnt. Meanwhile, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) machinery is likely to step in and seek details of building construction and lease from the building owner. Ganesh Rathod, Assistant Commissioner, Gandhibagh Zone, NMC, talking to ‘The Hitavada’, mentioned that, as per rules, a formal notice needed to be issued to owners in case of excess construction.

 

He said, investigation on the part of the civic body had revealed that said plot lease was given by Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and part of the land falls under Malik Makbuja - it comes under District Collectorate. A 15-day period has been provided to submit reply to the notice. Also, public notice is issued before undertaking any demolition by local authorities. The NMC, however, is clear that the building plan rules were violated by the owner. In a short time, reel after reel flooded social media, further putting spotlight on the confusion on the ground. It also highlighted lack of co-ordination and how mega projects were hurriedly constructed in the country. As blame game intensified between NHAI and NMC, Patre was left in a tight spot.

 

He realised that major trouble was brewing so instead of waiting for official demolition process, he deployed labourers to pull down excess construction. The entire episode, however, put Nagpur on national and even international map, given the agility with which the rotary construction was undertaken. The building did not suffer even an inch of damage during the construction of rotary, though the distance separating the two structures is just metres apart. While the same showcased high precision construction norms, it however reflected poorly on Government institution’s brazenness in not taking basic care of ensuring all agencies are on board. NHAI officials maintain that they had informed NMC about the rotary structure construction. The civic officials are firm that no specific plan was submitted to provide clarity about possible infringement. Had NHAI given specific drawings, the NMC officials said, they could have gone for joint measurement of the land on which the said building stands and avoided the emerging confusion that arose later.